THURSDAY, OCT. 5

Celebrate women this Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a tour of the museum that focuses on issues and ideas surrounding women in art. Pink attire is encouraged.

The Midnight Swinger

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$17 to $21

Call 925-3869.

Comedian David Scott, aka “Mr. Showtime,” holds the Guinness World Record for longest stand-up comedy show by an individual at 40 hours and 8 minutes. Now he’s bringing his talents to Sarasota for a show that runs through Oct. 8.

Support the State College of Florida music program at its annual festival, which will feature performances by SCF’s Music Ensembles: Guitar Ensemble, Concert and Chamber Choirs, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band.

Ringling Underground

8 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$15; free for members and students with ID

Call 359-5700.

See The Ringling in a different light at this monthly music and art event featuring live shows by several local bands. This month’s

lineup includes First World, Physical Plant and Brother, Brother.

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

Jack West Exhibit Opening Reception

5:30 p.m. at Friends of the Sarasota County History Center, 701 N. Tamiami Trail

Free

Call 861-5000.

Celebrate the opening of exhibit “Jack West Architect - 60 Years of Sarasota Design” with this Sarasota Architectural Foundation event. The exhibit runs through December.

Music on Main: Kim Betts and the Gamble Creek Band

6 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, 8100 Lakewood Main St.

Free

Call 907-9243.

Jam out to county and Southern rock tunes performed by Kim Betts & The Gamble Creek Band. A DJ will keep you rocking out all night long with today’s hits. This event benefits the Lakewood Ranch YMCA.

First Friday Artwalk Weekend

6 p.m. at Village of the Arts, 1017 12th Ave W, Bradenton

Free

Call 747-8056.

Take a stroll through the Village of the Arts for this monthly artwalk and stumble upon live music, artist receptions and other special activities at area galleries, studios and specialty shops. Artwalk begins with extended hours at 6 p.m. Friday and continues at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Early Bird Special Improv Troupe

7 p.m. at the Starlite Room, 1001 Cocoanut Ave.

Cover charge TBD

Call 702-5613.

“The Birds,” as the troupe’s nine members call themselves, will take to the stage for a night of fast, unscripted games. Come prepared with a scenario — you never know who they’re going to call on.

Nik’s Pick

The Fabulous Independent Film Festival Opening Night

The opening night for FIFF, a production of Harvey Milk Festival, will feature the documentary “Dream Boat” by director and screenwriter Tristan Milewski. This film follows five men from five different countries on the Dream Boat, a cruise for gay men that sets sail once a year. Contains nudity — for mature audiences only. A free opening night party featuring music by Fierce Plastic will follow at 10 p.m. at Made Restaurant, 1990 Main St. #112.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:45 p.m., Friday

Where: Burns Court Cinema, 506 Burns Lane

Tickets: $105

Info: Call 955-3456.

Louies Live: First Friday Dance Party

8 p.m. at Louis Modern, 1289 N. Palm Ave.

Free

Call 552-9688.

The new Louies Live First Friday event series kicks off with an ’80s-themed dance party with complimentary Moscow Mules.

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

3rd Annual Oktoberfest

11 a.m. at Mandeville Beer Garden, 428 N. Lemon Ave.

Free; Call 954-8688.

Throw on your best dirndl or lederhosen to get a free pretzel at this all-day beer festival. Choose from 11 German beers on tap, all available in 16-ounce pours and liter steins.

October Open House Wine Tasting

2 p.m. at Michael’s Wine Cellar, 1283 S. Tamiami Trail

$10

Call 955-2675.

Sip dozens of wines from around the world at this monthly open house tasting. Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club members earn points on all retail purchases during the event.

Fifth Annual Sarasota Choral Festival

4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave.

$35

Call 921-4845.

Come experience the culminating performance of Key Chorale’s intensive festival, which features more than 150 singers of all skill levels.

DON’T MISS

Piano Grand II

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota opens its 22nd season with a reprise of “Piano Grand” with pianists Don Bryn, Joseph Holt, Andrew Lapp, Thomas Purviance and Jonathan Spivey. This program is new and features a wide range of ageless favorites and lighter classics.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Tickets: $20 to $55

Info: Call 306-1202.

FST Improv: ‘Out of Bounds’

7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre Bowne’s Lab Theatre

$15

Call 366-9000.

This fast-paced show features five skilled comedians in a series of games and scenes. Runs through Dec. 23.

Fabulous IFF Outdoor Screening

8:15 p.m. at Payne Park, 2050 Adams Lane

Free

Call 955-3456.

Grab a blanket and check out The Fabulous Independent Film Festival’s outdoor screening of “A Date for Mad Mary” by first-time director Darren Thornton. This film follows Mary McArdle as she returns to her suburban Dublin home after six months in jail. Her best friend is getting married and refuses Maid of Honor Mary a plus one, saying she won’t find a date. Mary sets out to prove her wrong.

SUNDAY, OCT. 8

18th annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off

2 p.m. at Morton’s Gourmet Market, 1924 S. Osprey Ave.

Free admission, $10 to sample all chili

Call 809-6158.

Fifteen Sarasota-area firehouses compete for the Best Fire House Chili in Sarasota. Celebrity judges will make the call while guests enjoy entertainment, beer and chili, all while supporting the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

Big Stage Ballroom

7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail

$43.45-$166.50

Call 921-6651.

Watch student and professional ballroom dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio take the stage to showcase everything from ballroom to hip-hop dancing. Special guests include Fabian Sanchez and Lacey Schwimmer of “Dancing with the Stars.”

TUESDAY, OCT. 10

Join local members of the Industrial Workers of the World in watching Academy Award-nominated film “Matewan.” The film is based on the story of the 1920 Matewan Massacre, during which Mingo County, West Virginia’s Stone Mountain Coal Company mine owners hired the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency to stop an ongoing strike.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11

‘By Special Arrangement’: Great Escapes I Sarasota Orchestra

5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N Tamiami Trail

From $38

Call 953-3434.

This concert explores music arrangements meant for a full orchestra and how they can enhance sonic colors and impact.

‘In the Heights’

8 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre, 1646 10th Way

$42; $20 for students and active military

Call 366-1505.

From the mind of “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda comes this lively musical about a Latino community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. The Tony Award-winning production fuses hip-hop beats with Latin rhythms for a unique, foot-tapping sound. Runs through Nov. 19.